Castle de Wittenburg
Reuring in romantic Wassenaar
You have many event venues, but a castle is something different, knows sales and events manager Eline Tahaparij. "The experience is often the deciding factor."
DATE
25 March 2020
TEXT
Annerieke Simeone
IMAGE
Ivo Gekus, Emma van der Schelde and Paco van Leeuwen
Castle de Wittenburg
Reuring in romantic Wassenaar
You have many event venues, but a castle is something different, knows sales and events manager Eline Tahaparij. "The experience is often the deciding factor."
Sindce he took office in 2012, Kasteel de Wittenburg's director Ralf Meppelder has focused mainly on large, one-day events. Now is not the time, but normally many people know how to find the estate, hidden behind the Wassenaar woods. Like the Rabobank, which booked a high tea for 180 guests. Or the many ambassadors who celebrate their holidays with the most delicious buffets.
Kasteel de Wittenburg was always a private setting with captains of industry, in possession of an exclusive membership.
Special events
So for special events, such as staff parties, this is the place to be. Tahaparij: "Two years ago, De Burgemeesters, the events agency we work with a lot, had come up with a Harry Potter theme for the staff of a Delft IT company. The forest was shrouded in smoke, music sounded, everything was decorated in the theme."
Lorenzo Ledel, editor of the gastronomic magazine Vision, celebrated his 10th anniversary here last August.
Tahaparij takes us to the huge garden with fountain and views of the greenery. "This is where Lorenzo Ledel, editor of the gastronomic magazine Vision, celebrated his 10th anniversary," she says. She points to the spot right by the pond. "That's where all the champagne glasses were ready.
Oysters and caviar
Of course, there were oysters and caviar at Kasteel de Wittenburg. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon." Many of Ledel's friends were walking around, including celebrated chefs Robert Kranenborg, Paul Fagel, Angelique Schmeinck, Michel van der Kroft and Alain Caron. The latter, with his unadulterated French accent, also held a thank-you speech for Ledel during the dinner.
Restaurant Sophie
The Jewel Awards, the Venetian masked ball sponsored by jeweller Gassan where successful entrepreneurs are put in the limelight, was perhaps the most spectacular party of 2019. Singer Romy Monteiro performed, along with dancers. While some sang and danced along exuberantly, other guests entertained themselves in a casino built especially for the evening.
'The experience is often the deciding factor'
Listed financial institution Adyen threw a party at the castle for its 250 staff members. Tahaparij: "The experience is often the deciding factor. There are quite a few event locations in the Randstad, but a castle is something else.
You can also have a lovely overnight stay at Kasteel de Wittenburg.
Just the red carpet you climb the grand, stone staircase with gives a sense of grandeur. It's not every day you walk into such a listed building. Moreover, they can park their car here for free." The sales and event manager enters restaurant Sophie through the garden and continues her account. "What is also not unimportant: we invite our guests into our restaurant to preview the menu." Let's hope that the castle can open its doors fully again to its guests soon.
text Annerieke Simeone image Ivo Gekus, Emma van der Schelde and Paco van Leeuwen
Sindce he took office in 2012, Kasteel de Wittenburg's director Ralf Meppelder has focused mainly on large, one-day events. Now is not the time, but normally many people know how to find the estate, hidden behind the Wassenaar woods. Like the Rabobank, which booked a high tea for 180 guests. Or the many ambassadors who celebrate their holidays with the most delicious buffets.
Kasteel de Wittenburg was always a private setting with captains of industry, in possession of an exclusive membership.
Special events
So for special events, such as staff parties, this is the place to be. Tahaparij: "Two years ago, De Burgemeesters, the events agency we work with a lot, had come up with a Harry Potter theme for the staff of a Delft IT company. The forest was shrouded in smoke, music sounded, everything was decorated in the theme."
Lorenzo Ledel, editor of the gastronomic magazine Vision, celebrated his 10th anniversary here last August.
Tahaparij takes us to the huge garden with fountain and views of the greenery. "This is where Lorenzo Ledel, editor of the gastronomic magazine Vision, celebrated his 10th anniversary," she says. She points to the spot right by the pond. "That's where all the champagne glasses were ready.
Oysters and caviar
Of course, there were oysters and caviar at Kasteel de Wittenburg. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon." Many of Ledel's friends were walking around, including celebrated chefs Robert Kranenborg, Paul Fagel, Angelique Schmeinck, Michel van der Kroft and Alain Caron. The latter, with his unadulterated French accent, also held a thank-you speech for Ledel during the dinner.
Restaurant Sophie
The Jewel Awards, the Venetian masked ball sponsored by jeweller Gassan where successful entrepreneurs are put in the limelight, was perhaps the most spectacular party of 2019. Singer Romy Monteiro performed, along with dancers. While some sang and danced along exuberantly, other guests entertained themselves in a casino built especially for the evening.
'The experience is often the deciding factor'
Listed financial institution Adyen threw a party at the castle for its 250 staff members. Tahaparij: "The experience is often the deciding factor. There are quite a few event locations in the Randstad, but a castle is something else.
You can also have a lovely overnight stay at Kasteel de Wittenburg.
Just the red carpet you climb the grand, stone staircase with gives a sense of grandeur. It's not every day you walk into such a listed building. Moreover, they can park their car here for free." The sales and event manager enters restaurant Sophie through the garden and continues her account. "What is also not unimportant: we invite our guests into our restaurant to preview the menu." Let's hope that the castle can open its doors fully again to its guests soon.
